Latest news

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hosting an international conference in Oslo from 28 to 29 May entitled ‘Protecting Education from Attack’. Foreign Minister Børge Brende will open the conference, and states represented at the conference will be encouraged to endorse a Safe Schools Declaration. Read more

World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on 3 May. ‘World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to remind the world of the importance of defending freedom of expression and the right to have a free press. It is disturbing to see that the number of countries in the world in which there is full freedom of the press is falling. Safeguarding freedom of the press is an important part of the Government’s... Read more

“The fact that we are all gathered here today agreeing that there are challenges to be addressed, and to discuss how we should solve them, is a good start” Said Norway’s Chief of Defence, Admiral Haakon Bruun-Hanssen, before attending history’s first Chiefs of Defence Conference held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Read more

Norway is providing NOK 90 million to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This is an increase of NOK 10 million compared with last year. ‘Strengthening the UN’s human rights work is vital, particularly at a time when these rights are under increasing pressure globally,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende. Read more

“Serious violations against women and girls is a common thread among the violent extremists. Their fear of gender equality ties them together” Stated Norway’s Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion Solveig Horne in her welcoming remarks at the event on “More than mere victims: Women and violent extremism” co-hosted by the Norwegian Mission, the Norwegian Consulate and New America... Read more

‘The humanitarian crisis in Syria is escalating. The Government is now providing USD 93 million to support efforts in Syria and the neighbouring countries. Children are the hardest hit. USD 18.6 million of these funds will be earmarked for education and child protection efforts,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende. Read more

“Women and girls all over the world suffer from widespread and serious human rights violations. It is therefore more important than ever to stand fully behind the principle of universal human rights. I call upon all member states to speak up for girls’ and women’s human rights every day. Women’s rights are Human Rights.” Said Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion Solveig Horne in... Read more

“Women human rights defenders play a crucial role in the development agenda, as they relate to the most vulnerable and marginalized individuals in society. We also know that women human rights defenders face particular challenges and difficulties,” said Norway’s State Secretary Hans Brattskar at the CSW side event “Protection in practice for women human rights defenders”. Read more

The fifty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) started with a bang on Sunday March 8, the International Women’s Day, with a big march for gender equality. CSW will take place at United Nations in New York from 9 to 20 March. Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and more than 8000 representatives of civil society from all regions of the world are attending the... Read more

‘Women are particularly affected by wars and conflicts. The Government is giving priority to intensifying Norway’s efforts to promote the women, peace and security agenda,’ said Prime Minister Erna Solberg. On the 16th of February the Government presented a new National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security for the period 2015-18. Read more

Norway is providing USD 20 million (NOK 150 million) in emergency aid to the civilian population in South Sudan. ‘Nearly 6.5 million South Sudanese have been affected by the humanitarian crisis that has resulted from the violent political power struggle in South Sudan. Norway wants to support the civilians who are now suffering. At the same time, we will continue to urge the country’s leaders t... Read more

“To increase our international effort against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) we need to strengthen our efforts on FGM as a part of other relevant development priorities – like gender equality, maternal- and child health, primary education and human rights.” Said Norway’s Deputy Permanent Representative May-Elin Stener at the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM event at the UN. Read more

The second meeting of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development is taking place at the UN headquarters these days. In addition to the participation of Norway’s Foreign Minister, Børge Brende, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo and the Norwegian Mission to the UN are also partaking in this important forum. Read more

Prime Minister Erna Solberg is visiting South Africa, Malawi and Rwanda this week to promote the right of children to education and healthcare, and to help to intensify efforts to meet the UN Millennium Development Goal on poverty reduction. Read more

Professor Kirsten Sandberg, the candidate for Norway and the other Nordic countries, was today re-elected as member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. ‘I would like to congratulate Professor Sandberg, one of our foremost experts in the field of children’s rights, on her re-election as member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge... Read more

- Public administration is of the people, by the people and for the people. To have women represented at all levels of public administration helps to promote a culture where women – and girls – are met with due respect and care, urged DPR of Norway Mrs. Tine Smith at today’s Global Launch of UNDPs report on Gender Equality in Public Administration. Read more